Finding Ways to Make Fitness Fun

Year in, year out, scores of people make getting in shape their New Year’s Resolution. But after a few weeks, many of those same people are back to their old behaviors, leaving the gym behind for some post-work couch time.

For many, the gym and working out simply isn’t fun or even remotely enjoyable. While stuck in the office all day, the last thing many people want to do is go spend a couple of hours doing something they don’t particularly enjoy. But those workouts, quite frankly, can be a matter of life or death. Consider a 2003 study from the American Cancer Society that suggested overweight and obesity could account for 14 percent of cancer deaths in males, and 20 percent for cancer in females. Simply put, your trips to the gym aren’t simply something you should want to do, they’re something you need to do.

For those who feel they’ll just never get into working out because it’s too boring, try making your workouts more fun. There’s a host of things you can to turn your exercise regimen from something you dread to something you really appreciate and look forward to.

• Get a partner: Many people find that working out with a partner is a good way to stay on schedule and stay motivated. You’re less likely to skip a workout if it’s your turn to drive to the gym or if a friend is there to hassle you into not skipping.

Also, going to the gym with a friend can be more enjoyable because you can joke around between sets or just talk as if you were sitting on the couch watching a movie. As an added bonus, you might even push yourself more physically to keep up with a friend, which is another motivating factor.

• Mix things up: If your workouts don’t involve isolating specific muscles each day (where Monday you’ll work solely triceps and back, Tuesday legs and chest, etc.) but instead are more general and less strenuous, then you’re bound to get bored. A good way to combat that is to change your routine. Try going to the gym at a different time once per week, perhaps before work instead of after. Also, go in reverse order of your typical workout. Muscles get used to the same work every day, so if you keep doing the same routine at the same time, you’ll find your workouts are less effective. Mixing things up is beneficial to both your muscles and your mind, which will be less likely to grow bored.

• Play sports: Workouts don’t need to just include dumbbells and situps. If your office has a company softball team, join it. Or if there’s a local basketball league you can join, consider that as well. Such teams should not replace a good workout routine (as they likely won’t feature more than a game or two per week), but can act as a great complement to trips to the gym. Also, getting out in the fresh air can help improve your state of mind.

• Go outdoors: Many state parks have workout stations along the trails you can walk. While these don’t include weights, they have stations for pull-ups, situps, stretching your legs, etc. And if you’re on trails, keep in mind the walk itself is great exercise, particularly if the trails feature some hills to climb. Again, the fresh air can be very rejuvenating as well.

• Incorporate music: Many exercise enthusiasts find that music is a perfect complement to their workouts. Time tends to go by a lot faster when you’re listening to your own playlist. And thanks to the numerous MP3 devices, you can create your own playlist specifically for working out, loading it with music you know will get you pumped up and keep you motivated throughout your workout.